The ECJ referred to Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1836 [text] of 12 October 2015 that amended Decision 2013/255/CFSP [text] discussing restrictive measures against Syria. Relying heavily on Article 27 and 28, a travel ban and asset freeze are mandated of “persons responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria, persons benefiting from or supporting the regime, and persons associated with them.” The relevant parties the decision called for these measures to be taken against are ” (a) leading businesspersons operating in Syria” and ” (b) members of the Assad or Makhlouf families.” The exception to this decision is if it can be proven that the person is not associated with the regime, does not have influence over the regime, and poses no risk.

Makhlouf failed to meet the burden of proof in showing that he was not connected to the regime and was found to be associated with and supporting the regime. Thus, the ECJ dismissed his appeal affirming the previous judgment upholding the asset freeze and travel ban.

THIS DAY @ LAW

UK signs Hong Kong over to China

On December 19, 1984, the United Kingdom and China
signed the Sino-British
Joint Declaration, which ceded control of Hong Kong to the
government of mainland China in 1997. The treaty also ensured that
Hong Kong would retain its capitalist and democratic systems for at
least 50 year after the transfer of power.

US House voted to impeach President Clinton

On December 19, 1998, a divided US House of
Representatives voted to impeach President Bill Clinton on charges
of lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice
in the Monica Lewinsky affair.